4 Reasons to Eat More Carrots

When I was in high school, my bucket list included strange items like, “eat so many carrots that I turn orange.” Believe it or not, this really is a thing. It’s called cartonemia, and is completely harmless. Sadly (?), I haven’t yet crossed that one off the list, but I’m still a huge carrot fan.

I’ve tried growing carrots in my garden (again) this year, with little success. While the greens (which are edible, by the way) are robust and beautiful, the carrots are strangely shaped, withered roots that are barely palatable. What can I say? Gardening was never my forte (although the dog dug one up and didn’t complain).

In any case, carrots are an excellent addition to any diet. But if you need some convincing, read on for 4 Reasons to Eat More Carrots.

1. They’re easy to find. In order to save money on produce and make sure you’re getting the most nutrient dense foods, it’s important to eat in season. Lucky for us, carrots are in-season year round. Wahoo! Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is call take quick trip to the produce section of your grocery store.
2. They’re healthy. Carrots are low in calories. Seriously, an entire carrot will only set you back 25 kcals. Everyone knows that they’re an excellent source of Vitamin A
   (200% of your daily value in one carrot), but you may be surprised to learn they’re also a great source of potassium. Vitamin A supports healthy vision and immunity, while the potassium keeps your brain, heart, and kidneys healthy. According to The Visual Food Lovers Guide (which is amazing, by the way), carrot juice is believed to be beneficial for the liver.
3. They’re cheap. At my local grocery store, an organic bunch is about $1.75. That’s approximately 6 carrots, or 29 cents a serving. Cha-ching!
4. They’re versatile. Carrots are eager to please. Want something sweet? Try maple roasted carrots. Savory? These oven-baked carrot fries can’t be beat. Dip carrot sticks in peanut butter, ranch dressing, hummus: they’ll taste delicious either way. Like I mentioned before, the greens are edible, too – and no, they’re not toxic.

What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy carrots? Let me know in the comments!